September 18th, 2024
Wednesday, September 18th
Chosen with Joy
By: Nicole Goddard
When God created Adam and Eve, it was good. So good that he could walk with Adam and Eve in the garden, talking and experiencing the closeness he intended for his creation.
It was a coexistence full of joy. Until it wasn’t.
And throughout the Old Testament, we read about God’s people drawing near and falling away. Human nature would forever prevent us from perfect reconciliation with our creator. But God had a plan. He sent his son to preach and show us the way of the righteous; loving and healing his people in story after story for generations to read about years later. Then his time came to go to the cross. He begged for the cup to pass him, filled with anguish over what he was to endure but was willingly obedient to the plan.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
For the joy that lay before him.
Do you know what that joy is? That joy is you. He endured the cross picturing YOU. Jesus didn’t choose to do this when all was right, when all the Jews and Gentiles alike bowed down to worship him. He did not expect every soul to repent once the veil tore and the ground quaked, and no generation following would struggle. He went to the cross knowing you and I could never get it right on our own and that we need his grace to cover us. He did this to secure eternity with you.
He chose to create you. He’s chosen to set you apart. YOU are his joy on the other side of the cross.
Chosen with Joy
By: Nicole Goddard
When God created Adam and Eve, it was good. So good that he could walk with Adam and Eve in the garden, talking and experiencing the closeness he intended for his creation.
It was a coexistence full of joy. Until it wasn’t.
And throughout the Old Testament, we read about God’s people drawing near and falling away. Human nature would forever prevent us from perfect reconciliation with our creator. But God had a plan. He sent his son to preach and show us the way of the righteous; loving and healing his people in story after story for generations to read about years later. Then his time came to go to the cross. He begged for the cup to pass him, filled with anguish over what he was to endure but was willingly obedient to the plan.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
For the joy that lay before him.
Do you know what that joy is? That joy is you. He endured the cross picturing YOU. Jesus didn’t choose to do this when all was right, when all the Jews and Gentiles alike bowed down to worship him. He did not expect every soul to repent once the veil tore and the ground quaked, and no generation following would struggle. He went to the cross knowing you and I could never get it right on our own and that we need his grace to cover us. He did this to secure eternity with you.
He chose to create you. He’s chosen to set you apart. YOU are his joy on the other side of the cross.
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